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BARA Gets Political!
09/06/2007
The first ever BARA TAGTIME event outside of Yorkshire proved to be an outstanding success and has even led to a mention during Prime
Minister's Question Time!
The event at Harlequins' impressive Stoop stadium featured a BARA TAGTIME contest between Oriel School of London and Springwood School of Bradford as well as a match up between MPs and a BARA select team.
The BARA team included former rugby league legend Martin Offiah with
former Great Britain rugby star and Sky pundit Phil Clarke playing for an MPs team which included former professionals Abi Ekoku, Tony Rea and Welsh RU international Colin Stephens.
New Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe was on hand to give his seal of approval. The Bradford South MP commented: "As new Sports Minister I'm delighted to see sports being inclusive and an organisation such as BARA is delivering the goods and opening up to new communities."
Secretary of the All Party Rugby League Group, Wigan MP Neil Turner mentioned the event during PMQs and commented: "The work of BARA is helping to open up the fun, enjoyment and teamwork of both codes of rugby into new areas and we wholeheartedly support its efforts."
BARA founder and dual code rugby international Ikram Butt: "It was a fantastic occasion and we managed to get significant exposure for the initiative which aims to break down cultural barriers.
BARA TAGTIME is a partnership programme involving a number of parties and it has already been piloted very effectively with 35 schools across Bradford thanks to the hard work and commitment of the West Bradford Schools Sports Partnership.
This initiative established by Ikram and a collaboration of partners, has really helped raise the profile of competitive school sport and highlights the positive outcomes it has on children from a variety of different backgrounds"
"I should also put on record my thanks to Leeds Met University whose support and backing made this landmark occasion possible," added Ikram.
Following the games BARA made a presentation to the MPs and attending media on the success of their cross code programme as well as other sporting developments that cross cultural divides.
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